4 triggers for AF patients should be warned about

Researchers asked patients to rank 11 possible behaviours that preceded an AF episode
Reuters Health

The most common triggers of atrial fibrillation are avoidable behaviours like drinking alcohol or coffee, a recent study suggests.

Researchers in the US surveyed 1295 patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, asking them about 11 possible triggers.

These included: alcohol, caffeine, lack of sleep, exercise, not exercising, consuming cold beverages, consuming cold foods, high sodium diet, consuming large meals, dehydration, and lying on one’s left side.

About three-quarters of the patients said at least one of those behaviours triggered AF some or all of the time.